Zion--A Mountain and A Man

When Zion was born, his mother gave him that name just before she gave him up for adoption. He bounced around in foster homes until he was almost 17. He was abused, both physically and mentally, he has scars to prove it, but he will say that God used the first part of his life to build his character and make him stronger. In high school he wrestled and did well, although at one point he lost 100 meets in a row. He was in the 2020 para Olympics and lead in several events.

He has an incredible story of abandonment, failure, loneliness, and then perseverance, persistence and strength. At 17 and 6 mo. before aging out of the foster care system (basically being thrown out on the street), His mother, Kimberly, was a foster parent with only girls when she got the call to foster him so that he didn’t have to go to a group home. After a short time, she adopted him. He says she was loving, but tough and when he wanted to quit wrestling she said NO. He, also plays drums in his church worship team.

He has many accomplishments including multi sport winner, Guinness World Record holder, he is an author, and he can run nearly 25 mi an hour on his HANDS!. He also has a documentary out on Netflix about the Foster care system and how he thinks it could be improved. He says that there is no such thing as a disability, it is an ability to show people how they can make the best of their situation. He says failure is necessary, and very beneficial to learning.

So, you ask, what makes him “special”? He was born with a rare condition and he has no legs. This young man was filled with hopelessness, pain, loneliness until he met Jesus. He had been doing ok building his body to be able to carry himself on his hands, but it was when he met his mother & Jesus that he really turned around. Jesus gives us all hope. He is the one who promises that it is darkest before the dawn ( Matt 14:25), Psalm 27:13-14 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

I have been known to have a “pity party”. Feel sorry for myself. It happens less than it did when I was younger and they don’t last long because I see the amazing things that God has done, and I know my hope is in Him! I know He goes through every storm and every celebration with me. He is always there.

Isn’t it amazing that God had this plan for this young man? He went through some very tough things, and his life will never be “easy”, But God knew that he would need to be tough and those things made him tough. Then God brought his mom into his life and brought Jesus too.

Jesus really is all that we need in this life and the next. Now he travels speaking to schools to encourage kids, churches to encourage everyone in their faith.

Lord, thank you, for the knowledge that you are always with us, that you have the answers and all we have to do is call on you, no matter what problem we are dealing with. In Christ’s holy name, Amen.

Shirlene Peterson